Pam Tebow wove stories about her famous son with her own religious faith during a recent guest appearance that raised more than $56,000 for the Pregnancy Care Center of Plant City.

Tebow shared a number of stories last week about Tim Tebow's football career, including his playing days at the University of Florida, where he won the Heisman Trophy. He played two seasons for the Denver Broncos and now is backup quarterback for the New York Jets.

Throughout his career, Tebow has focused on spreading his faith, adding that his habit of dropping to a knee in prayer — known as Tebowing — goes back to his high school days.

"His mission field is the football field," she said. "He knows he is a role model for all the boys and girls who look up to him."

Tebow made no mention of some of the latest media attention focused on her son, including his limited playing time for the Jets and reports about a budding romance with actress Camilla Belle.

She referred to her son's healthy birth as a miracle after a difficult pregnancy while she and her husband, Bob, were serving as missionaries in the Philippines. Tebow said she ignored a doctor's recommendation to abort Tim, her fifth child. Doctors feared the birth might endanger her life.

"God doesn't make mistakes. Every baby is precious to him," she said during a 30-minute talk.

Center Executive Director Darlene Davis said the faith-based ministry raised $56,000 during the evening, with more pledges rolling in. Seventeen people signed up to volunteer, she said.

The center sold all its 525 tickets to the annual banquet, which Davis called the most successful in her four-year tenure there. Some people likely attended because they are Tim Tebow fans, but that's OK because they also heard about the care center and its work, she said.

The faith-based center, at 304 N. Collins St., provides pregnancy tests, counseling for unwed mothers, parenting classes and other services. It does not provide or refer women for abortions.

Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson’s baseball card — if he had one — would report he throws left, writes right. In his columns and blog, “The Right Stuff,” southpaw Jackson provides insight into the evolving human condition from a distinctly conservative point of view.Column | Blog